Accra, Ghana - Ghana's former President John Agyekum Kufuor on Thursday urged Nigerians to show 'exemplary conduct' at their presidential poll on Saturday saying, “Nigeria must get it right to pave the way for others to follow.' 'Nigeria, because of its population and size, occupies a strategic position in Africa. The conduct of the election will have far reaching effects on the rest of the continent,' he said during a meeting with in Abuja with President Goodluck Jonathan. “If Nigeria gets it right, it will impact positively on the rest of the continent and show the rest of the world that Africa is capable of managing its electoral processes.  If Nigeria gets it wrong, it will have negative influence on the continent with dire consequences,” Kufuor, leader of the 40-member AU Observer Mission for Saturday's vote, said.

A statement received in Accra by President Kufuor's Spokesperson, Frank Agyekum, said he assured the Nigerian President of the impartiality of their assignment stating: “We are here as independent and objective observers. We will report things as we see them and not meddle in the conduct of the elections.”

President Jonathan pledged that his government will not to interfere in the conduct of the elections and that the ballot will be conducted in a free and fair manner and the results accepted.

He said it was about time Africa showed that it was able to hold elections that would stand the test of time.

“The will of the people must always prevail.  Where governments have tried to subvert the will of the people for their personal gains, there has been chaos.  I don’t intend to lead Nigeria along that path.”

More than 70 million Nigerians go the polls on Saturday to elect a president from a field of about 20, including incumbent President Jonathan.

Pana 15/04/2011